The Martian by Andy Weir Crown Publishing/Random House, $24.00, 369 pages, ISBN 978-0-8041-3902-1 For the first in a long time, maybe ever, we’re reviewing two Sci-Fi novels in a row. It wasn’t planned that way, it was by coincidence only, there’s no shift in focus going on. Our emphasis will always be on crime-fiction and mysteries with occasional forays into other, thriller-related areas, like now. The Martian by Andy
Shovel Ready by Adam Sternbergh Crown Publishing/ Random House, $24.00, 243 pages, ISBN 978-0-385-34899-7 Truthfully, I’ve been getting bored with most of the dystopian-themed novels that have been all the rage for the last few years. I mean, how much end of the world zombie-alien-robopocalypse or vampire-werewolfen invasions can we take before we go Yeah. Been there, done that, seen it, seen it, seen it and not only did
Providence Rag by Bruce DeSilva Forge/Tom Doherty & Associates, $25.99, 351 pages, ISBN 978-0-7653-7429-5 One of my favorite literary characters and amateur sleuths is a wise-cracking, cigar-chomping, hometown-homeboy ace investigative reporter and crime-fighting journalist by the name of Liam Mulligan. He’s based in Providence, Rhode Island, working for a venerated, one hundred forty year old newspaper that’s barely managing to stay afloat, thanks mostly to the publisher’s deep sense
Then We Take Berlin by John Lawton Grove Atlantic Inc., $26.00, 418 pages, ISBN 978-0-8021-2196-7 I’ve always enjoyed reading historical fiction or crime and espionage novels, as well as most anything to do with World War II and the early cold war period. When I found an unfamiliar author who had just written a novel that combined all those elements into one project . . . I couldn’t wait
A Song For The Dying by Stuart MacBride Harper Collins, £16.99 (about $29.95) 516 pages, ISBN 978-0-00-734430-7 Have you ever thought about, or have a personal vision of Hell? It is of course, a theme which reverberates throughout the canons of the great religions of the world; but it’s also a subject many of the world’s greatest writers have tackled . . . the most famous of which is
The Ascendant by Drew Chapman Simon & Shuster, $25.00, 388 pages, ISBN 978-1-4767-2588-8 Anyone who’s watched television lately knows that the most interesting man in the world is busy selling Mexican beer . . . but have you ever wondered just what the smartest man in the world is up to? Well, wonder no more . . . the MBR has the answer for you . . . he’s
The Big Crowd by Kevin Baker Houghton, Mifflin Harcourt Publishing, $27.00, 424 pages, ISBN 978-0-618-85990-0 The Mysterious Book Report has long been an ardent and enthusiastic promoter of the classic black and white noir movies made in the golden age of film during the 1930s, 40s and 50s. They are, in fact, the very definition of the French word noir, meaning ‘black film’, which has been assimilated into English
After I’m Gone by Laura Lippman Wm Morrow/Harper Collins, $26.99, 334 pages, ISBN 978-0-06-208339-5 Have you ever played the WHAT IF game? You know . . . the one that goes like this . . . What if I lost my job? What if one of us gets sick? Really, really sick like Ebola or something? What if a UFO landed behind our house? What would we do .
Chance by Kem Nunn Scribner, $26.00, 320 pages, ISBN 978-0-7432-8924-5 Some of the best thriller and crime fiction stories are built around the premise of an ordinary person being put into an extraordinary situation. For example . . . Peter Parker is bitten by a radioactive spider and as a result, develops supernatural powers which totally change his life as he becomes 'The Amazing Spiderman,' a crusading crime fighter
The Kept by James Scott Harper Collins, $25.99, 357 pages, ISBN 978-0-06-223673-9 Sometimes I get feedback from fans and readers that goes something like this . . . "How come I never heard of the books or authors you talk about in the newspapers?" . . . And my answer is always the same. "Because I'm trying to find your next favorite author for you, instead of the same